Entertainment
Louis Gossett Jr, first black man to win supporting actor at Oscars, dies at 87, after struggling alcohol and cocaine addiction
Louis Gossett Jr., the first black man to win the best supporting actor at the Oscars, has died at the age of 87.
In a statement, Gossett’s family said he died on Friday morning in Santa Monica, California. The cause of his death was not revealed.
“It is with our heartfelt regret to confirm our beloved father passed away this morning,” the statement reads.
“We would like to thank everyone for their condolences at this time. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
The statement described the New-York born film star as a humorous and friendly personality who faced and fought racism with dignity while walking with Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa.
“Never mind the awards, never mind the glitz and glamor, the Rolls-Royces, and the big houses in Malibu. It’s about the humanity of the people that he stood for,” Neal L. Gossett, a cousin to the ace actor, said.
Born in 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, Gossett started acting at age 16 when he appeared in the play ‘Take A Giant Step’.
He studied at the New York University on a basketball and drama scholarship.
In 1959, he gained widespread popularity when he featured on Broadway’s stage production of ‘A Raisin In The Sun’, and its on-screen version in 1961.
Gossett would later win an Emmy Award for his outstanding role as Fiddler in the 1977 TV miniseries ‘Roots’ — a film about the atrocities of slavery.
He won the Academy Award in 1982 for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’.
“The Oscar gave me the ability of being able to choose good parts in movies like Enemy Mine, Sadat, and Iron Eagle,” Gossett said in film expert, Dave Karger’s, 2024 book “50 Oscar Nights,” he said while reminiscing on the award.
In 2005, he established the Eracism Foundation to “help create a world where racism does not exist.”
In the latter part of his life, Gossett struggled with alcohol and cocaine addiction.
He was diagnosed with toxic mould syndrome. In 2010, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Entertainment
OAP Do2dtun calls out Soundcity FM for eight months of unpaid salaries
Nigerian on-air media personality Oladotun Ojuolape Kayode, known as OAP Do2dtun, has taken to social media to call out a popular radio station for alleged eight months of unpaid salaries.
OAP Do2dtun took to his official Twitter page today, December 8th, 2024, to call out Souncity over the unpaid salaries. He accused the popular radio station of being very cruel and inhumane.
Speaking further, OAP Do2dtun said that it is not by force to open a radio station as he called on the popular radio station Soundcity to pay their staff the alleged eight months of unpaid salaries.
He wrote; “It’s not by force to open a radio station. Owing your staffs for 8 months is very cruel and inhumane. You don’t need a soothsayer to tell you this.
My friends and colleagues at Soundcity, how do you guys cope? No salary for 8 months ? Mehn that’s crazy!!!!.R”
See screenshot below;
Entertainment
‘I have cried too many tears’, Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle mourns her dog
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle is in a mourning mood following the death of her rescue dog named Guy.
She shared a video collage on Instagram on Tuesday to announce the passing of the dog with a lengthy tribute.
In the tribute, she wrote about how she rescued Guy and how much it meant to her.
It reads: “In Memory of Guy
“In 2015, I adopted a beagle from a dog rescue in Canada. He had been at a kill shelter in Kentucky and given a few days to live. I swooped him up….and fell in love.
“They referred to him as ‘the little guy’ because he was so small and frail, so I named him ‘Guy’. And he was the best guy any girl could have asked for.
“If you followed me on instagram back in the day, you saw a lot of him – and on The Tig too. He was with me at Suits, when I got engaged, (and then married), when I became a mom….he was with me for everything: the quiet, the chaos, the calm, the comfort.
“He endured a terrible accident shortly before I moved to the UK which had him undergoing surgeries for several months and unable to leave the clinic. Doctors said he would never walk again, but Dr Noel Fitzpatrick said he could do it. H and I would drive late at night, after hours, to see Guy as he recovered in Surrey for months on end.
“I will always be grateful to Noel and his team, the team at Queen West Animal Hospital in TO, our vets now, and my friends and community: Thank you for loving him so.
“Because many of you will now see Guy in this new series, I hope you’ll come to understand why I am so devastated by his loss. I think you may fall a little bit in love too.
“I have cried too many tears to count – the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend they’re not there. But they are. And that’s okay too.
“Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy. You filled my life in ways you’ll never know.
“As ever, Meghan.”
Entertainment
Family pays tribute to Peace Anyiam-Osigwe on 2nd death anniversary
The family of the Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the founder of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), has paid a heartfelt tribute to her on the second anniversary of her death.
In a lengthy statement, the family celebrated Peace’s “dynamic personality, generosity, and passion for mentoring others”.
They noted that her memories continue to inspire and uplift them, and that her legacy and contributions to society will live on.
The statement highlighted Peace’s commitment to youth development and empowerment, as well as her dedication to her faith and values.
Her family also acknowledged her immense impact on the film industry as the founder and CEO of AMAA and former president of the Association of Film Producers of Nigeria.
They pledged to continue honoring her memory by keeping her spirit alive in their hearts.
“Two years have passed since your passage to eternal glory, but the memories of your vibrant life and legacy continue to inspire and uplift us all. Your dynamic personality, generosity, and passion for mentoring others left an indelible mark on countless lives,” the statement reads in part.
“Your commitment to youth development and empowerment was evident in the various initiatives you supported and championed. In the church, your dedication and service were a testament to your strong faith and values.
“Your love for God and humanity shone brightly, inspiring others to follow in your footsteps. To our mother, your passing has left a gaping hole that can never be filled. She remembers and misses you daily, recounting memories of her time with you and the profound positive impact you had on her life and the lives of our entire family.
“As the founder and CEO of the Africa Movie Academy Awards and former president of the Association of Film Producers of Nigeria, your impact on the film industry is immeasurable.
“As we remember you today, we celebrate your life, your achievements, and recall the beautiful times spent together, your acute sense of responsibility, your concern for the wellbeing of the family and especially your infectious sense of humour.
“Your legacy lives on through the countless lives you touched, and we will continue to honor your memory by keeping your spirit alive in our hearts.
Rest in peace, dear sister. Your memory will forever be a blessing to us.
“May God continue to comfort and strengthen our family, especially our mother, as we cherish memories of our times together. We thank God that you continue to rest in the light of His consciousness.”
Anyiam-Osigwe battled with an undisclosed ailment that eventually led to her death in January 2023.
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